Gamal Haress

Gamal Haress got his start in equestrian in the 1940s and joined the Egyptian national team in 1949. He represented his country in numerous international tournaments, including three consecutive Olympics from 1952 through 1960. His best finish at the Games was fourth in the team jumping event in 1960 (alongside Mohamed Selim Zaki and Elwi Gazi), while his individual best was joint-23rd in 1956. He was selected for the delegation to the 1964 Summer Olympics, but was asked by the Minister of Sport to guarantee a medal in Tokyo. Since he found this an impossible promise to make, he was not permitted to travel.

Haress’ greatest international success came at the 1959 Mediterranean Games, where he took home six medals in various disciplines. He retired from active competition in the mid-1960s and then took up coaching. He was also involved heavily in the administrative side of sport, serving as Secretary General to both the Egyptian Equestrian Federation and the Egyptian Olympic Committee. He was a career military man, having graduated from the Military Academy in 1945, and he left the service with the rank of Major General. He remained active late in life, participating in an equestrian presentation during the centennial celebrations of the Egyptian Olympic Committee in 2010.